White Dog Names: 94 Names That are Out of the Ordinary

Okay, so when you first see a white dog, it’s difficult to think of anything other than a crisp winter scene. Whether you find yourself with a little Bichon Frise or a massive Great Pyrenees, that ice-white coat prompts the same thoughts. And why not? Such gleaming shades would remind anyone of snow peaks. Pair that against dark, melting eyes reminiscent of a snowman, and the picture gets harder to resist. Or maybe you have a pup with startlingly BLUE eyes! That’s the perfect winter scene. But there are SO many white dogs out there with “snow” in their names. It’s become standard and expected. You don’t want to go that route. Your beautiful snowy hound deserves better. Lucky for you, we’ve found 94 white dog names that step out of the box!

White Dogs

Would you believe white dogs result from a RED pigment? It’s true! Hair coat in canines comes from two different genes: eumelanin (which controls black) and phaeomelanin (which controls red). As phaeomelanin gets diluted, the red turns to cream, then ivory, and finally WHITE. The trait’s recessive, blocking the expression of eumelanin. The result is a white dog with a black nose. An “extreme white” hair coat refers to a white dog with a pink nose.

Then there are dogs with pink noses and pink eyes. Their genetic code doesn’t produce ANY pigment. This is albinism, and it’s rare. Unfortunately, these pups often suffer from increased risks for health issues – including skin cancer. The lack of pigment extends to their skin, offering no protection from the sun’s rays. You want to have sunscreen on hand when they go outside to protect them.

White Dog Mythology

It seems that good and evil like to follow dogs and cats throughout mythology. That holds true for white dogs. Across the globe, that icy color prompts thoughts of happiness and fear. It just depends on which region you find yourself in. And while no one wants to associate their canine with a negative image, using the history and language to think of white dog names is always a great idea.

Trouble on the Horizon

The United Kingdom thrives on stories of monstrous hounds – black AND white. The Gally-Trot haunts regions of North Country and Suffolk in Britain. The size of a bull and sporting a thick, shaggy coat, it chases anyone who runs away from it. (Reasonable – given the dog’s reported size). The name “Gally-Trot” comes from the Gaelic for “frighten.” (Go figure)

In eastern Asia and Japan, demon dogs wear white coats. If one of these pups touches you, expect your death to follow close behind.

Faithful Friends

On the flip side, though, you’ll find stories of white dogs that have your best interests at heart. The Cadejo is a common feature in Central American folklore. Two Cadejo exist: one white and one black. The black dog shows up to threaten and kill travelers in the night, while the white dog guides and protects them. Both come in the size of a cow, with burning red eyes and goat hooves. (So, not precisely dog-like) Of course, some traditions flip the two spirits, so things get a little complicated. (But who wants to focus on the negative?)

Pele is the goddess of volcanoes in Hawaii. Legend holds that she sends her white dog as a warning when she’s planning an eruption. And observatory staff DID see a little white dog towards the end of 1959. In December 1959, Kilauea Iki erupted – and the dog vanished! A few months later, he popped up again. They saw him off and on until 1966.

Some Native American tribes believe the sight of three white dogs herald good fortune. (This is NOT an endorsement for you to fill your house with canines, by the way – it’s a legend)

White Dog Names

Naming your dog involves a long thought process. You want to make sure you don’t choose a name that’ll disrupt the training process. (If that white dog name sounds like a command, your pooch will get confused) And standing on the back porch shouting something ridiculous? You’ll start to question your decision. You don’t want to overcomplicate the name, either. (Face it – by the time you finish shouting “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” your dog will have wandered off to get a snack) And, most importantly, you want something that stands out. White dog names don’t have to follow the same tired patterns. You have a dog that stands out (except in the snow). Let their name stand out, too!

Along those lines, we have 94 white dog names to get your brain working. And if you don’t see something you want here? We have TONS of other names for you to sort through. Nothing says a name is specific to a dog (regardless of color) or a cat!

Famous White Dog Names

It’s funny how white dogs manage to slip into the background of our favorite shows and comics. We tend to overlook them. They don’t pop out the way black dogs or other hair coats do. (You wouldn’t believe how many internet sites want to claim Snoopy as a white dog – but Snoopy has black ears!) True white dogs slide under the radar. But we’ve embraced quite a few, and they’re perfect as inspiration for white dog names.

1. Bolt: Yes, he sported a black lightning bolt in the Disney classic – but only until the paint faded.
2. Dogbert: If you read Dilbert, you know his white dog pal.
3. Ghost: Jon Snow’s faithful dire wolf was the only white one in the litter (and crucial to the Game of the Thrones series).
4. Gidget: This snow-white Pomeranian stole hearts in The Secret Life of Pets movies.
5. Mr. Peabody: Whether you watched the original Mr. Peabody & Sherman cartoons or the recent movie, this intelligent dog is perfect for your smart pup.
6. Zero: Maybe it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but this hound in The Nightmare Before Christmas IS white!

White Dog Names Based on the Cold

There’s no dodging the snow angle when it comes to white dogs. People love using the word. And it makes sense, especially if you have a pup that loves the colder climates. But those white dog names are so overused! Honestly, how many Snowballs, Snowflakes, Snow Whites, and Snow Princesses do you know?

My family’s not guiltless, either. When my brother got his North American Eskimo Spitz, the first word out of his mouth was “Snowy.” ALL of the potential names he could have picked, and he chose Snowy. (And, no, he wasn’t a small child) Talk about mortifying.

If you want to play up the cold theme, here are some white dog names that use the angle – WITHOUT that dreaded word.

7. Alaska
8. Arctic
9. Avalanche
10. Blizzard
11. Denali
12. Everest
13. Frosty
14. Glacier
15. Ice
16. Iceberg
17. Icicle
18. Igloo
19. Jack Frost
20. January
21. Juneau
22. Milky
23. Polar
24. Winter
25. Yeti
26. Yukon

White Dog Names Based on Food

Okay, the expected route’s out of the way. Time to start flexing the imagination.

Have you considered how many foods and beverages come in a shade of white? Why not look at the delicious side of things for white dog names? You’ll still show appreciation for the showy hue of your canine’s coat, but you’ll pick a unique route that most people won’t expect. Plus, it’s fun! People don’t expect to see a little white pup with a culinary name attached. And once you start looking around the fridge and pantry, your creativity sparks. It’s perfect!

27. Blondie
28. Brie
29. Champagne
30. Chardonnay
31. Chowder
32. Coconut
33. Coolwhip
34. Custard
35. Frosting
36. Horchata
37. Marzipan
38. Meringue
39. Popcorn
40. Sugar
41. Tofu
42. Vanilla
43. Yogurt

White Dog Names Based on Popular Culture

White garb doesn’t show up quite as often in comics, television, or movies. You can’t exactly blame people – it’s not the easiest to keep clean. (Okay, so they’re fictional, and their worlds somehow manage to stay spotless, but you get the idea) However, if you dig a little deeper into things, you’ll find some pristine costumes here and there. The characters can serve as the perfect inspiration for white dog names. And while your dog WILL need a bath to keep their coat looking spotless, they can share a name with a gleaming hero (or villain).

44. Dagger (Dagger is the light half of Cloak and Dagger)
45. Dumbledore (This Harry Potter wizard’s known for his flowing white beard. Also Albus has a Latin root meaning “white”)
46. Emma (Emma Frost of the X-Men dresses in white)
47. Gandalf (When he’s reborn in The Two Towers, he dons white robes )
48. Geralt (Also known as the White Wolf, this hero of The Witcher is a fan favorite)
49. Leia (I can work Star Wars into every post, too)
50. Moon Knight (This Marvel hero sports shiny silver-white armor)
51. Olaf (Everyone’s favorite snowman from Frozen)
52. Phantom (Zorro’s white horse)
53. Saruman (So he created Uruk-hai to take over Middle Earth in the Fellowship of the Ring. He looked good in his white robes)
54. Stormtrooper (Why not? I actually used this name for a white rat I owned – he was awesome)
55. Stripe (The leader of the Gremlin troop, he sported a white mohawk)
56. Walker (The White Walkers of Game of Thrones have gleaming white skin)
57. White Fang (The hero from the book – and movie – WASN’T white, but the name still works)

White Dog Names Based on Plants

The natural world produces some stunning examples of pure white beauty. Why not translate that into white dog name inspiration? You’ll find flowers and trees that produce a white shade (so we’re not catering to just the ladies here!). As you start to look around gardens and forests, you’ll find plenty of ideas filling your mind. Do a little homework, though. Many of the white plants are also TOXIC to animals. So while it’s fair to consider them for white dog names, skip adding them to your yard. You don’t want to accidentally provoke a trip to the vet.

58. Ash
59. Birch
60. Daisy
61. Edelweiss
62. Gardenia
63. Jasmine
64. Lily
65. Magnolia
66. Oleander
67. Peony

Unique White Dog Names

You’re one of those who believe a white dog deserves a name from outside the box. Fantastic! Let’s ditch the box and look a little further afield for those white dog names! As you start to consider some alternatives, you’ll find people’s eyes widening in delight. They’ll demand to know how you came up with something so interesting. And you’ll feel insanely proud (so will your pup!). These white dog names toss the boring old mold out the door.

68. Badar (Arabic for “full moon”)
69. Cotton (Maybe not THAT unique – I didn’t have anywhere else to put it)
70. Deva (The Hindu goddess of the moon)
71. Gelo (Portuguese for “ice”)
72. Ivory
73. Kaya (Greek for “pure”)
74. Nari (Korean for “lily”)
75. Neve (Italian for “snow”)
76. Nimbus (This can refer to a luminous cloud OR a halo around a supernatural being)
77. Pegasus
78. Q-Tip
79. Schnee (German for “snow”)
80. Sirius (A white dwarf star AND the dog star)
81. Unicorn
82. Vapor
83. Wimbledon (The tennis tournament has a strict all-white dress code for the players)
84. Yuki (Japanese for “snow”)

White Dog Names – Different Languages

When you start getting away from the comfortable and expected, you find more and more inspiration. And the world’s vast – there are so many languages out there. You can find plenty of white dog names if you’re willing to look into different cultures. The words sound beautiful on the tongue, and plenty of people won’t have any idea what the name means! You’ve already seen how astonishing language exploration can prove to the imagination. Now we’re taking things a little further. All of the following mean “white” in their respective languages.

85. Alba (Latin)
86. Baltas (Lithuanian)
87. Bán (Irish)
88. Bela (Slovenia)
89. Bianca/Bianco (Italian)
90. Blanc (French)
91. Blanco (Spanish)
92. Shiro (Japanese)
93. Vit (Swedish)
94. Weiss (German)

Friendly Ghosts

People expect white dogs to have snowy names. And you’ll find plenty of pups out there with that theme. But you don’t need to follow suit. White dog names can come from so many other sources. The world is your inspiration. Look into those beautiful eyes on your pup and decide what kind of personality they have. Maybe they’re not a wintry dog after all!

Hopefully, these white dog names have your imagination running wild – even if it IS through a snow-blanketed field.